HARARE – Colchester United coach Kevin Keen has given winger Macauley Bonne (pictured) the greenlight to join Zimbabwe’s squad for this month’s 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Swaziland.
Bonne was included in Warriors coach Kalisto Pasuwa’s 27-man squad together with England-based defenders Brendan Galloway and Tendayi Darikwa on Thursday.
If he does accept the call-up Bonne, who scored on his Zimbabwe debut against Morocco in November 2014, will miss Colchester’s League One clash against Doncaster Rovers.
“Zimbabwe have got a couple of big games coming up and playing for your country is a huge thing,” Keen told the Essex County Standard.
“I’d never stop anyone or influence anyone from not playing for their national team. It could affect the team for that week, as we’ve got two games.
“But I’ll never stop them and if they’ve got doubts about certain things it’ll be their choice. There may be one small thing that needs to be resolved.
“But I’m just happy he’s been selected for his national team -— it’s a great honour and the biggest honour — it’s a great experience.”
Born in England to Zimbabwean parents, the 20-year-old represented the Zimbabwe Under-23 against Morocco in an international friendly.
Warriors’ team manager Sharif Mussa said there were in close communication with foreign-based players called for duty adding that despite a few hurdles they would sort it out.
“If they fail, they will communicate with us that they are unable to but they are aware of this call up,” he said.
